Antibiotic A-33853 derivatives

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic A-33853 is produced by submerged, aerobic fermentation of a new Streptomyces sp. NRRL 12068. The antibiotic and the diacetyl and triacetyl derivatives thereof disclosed herein have shown antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species which are penicillin resistant. In addition, the antibiotic and its tetraacetyl derivative have shown antiviral and antitrichomonal activity in vitro.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a continuation-in-part of our co-pending application Ser. No. 253,346, filed Apr. 13, 1981, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,472 (May 11, 1982), which is a division of our application Ser. No. 123,330, filed Feb. 21, 1980, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,649 (Oct. 6, 1981).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A large variety of pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria and protozoa, are causative agents in producing diseased states in man and animals.

Included in the list of causative agents are such organisms as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhosa, and Pasteurella multocida, the last being epidemiologically associated with pneumonia in sheep and cattle. Mycoplasma gallisepticum and other Mycoplasma cause respiratory problems in chickens and turkeys.

Although a number of antibiotics have been developed, some of which possess activity against one or more pathogenic organisms, there remains a need for more effective agents to combat the many diseases caused by these organisms in man and animals.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the literature, Dolak and Johnson, J. Antibiot. 33(11), 1391-1394 (1980) (published in November, 1980), report "The Isolation and Characterization of the New Antibiotic U-60,394". Physical and chemical data are included in the article which upon examination suggests there are similarities between Antibiotic A-33853 and Antibiotic U-60,394. However, there is a difference in melting point, and Dolak et al. report no rotation or titration data for U-60,394 which could be compared with the related data on Antibiotic A-33853.

Dolak and Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,021 (Dec. 15, 1981), disclose and claim Antibiotic U-60,394 and the process for the preparation of the Antibiotic U-60,394.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to acyl derivatives of antibiotic substance A-33853.

The A-33853 antibiotic is produced by culturing Streptomyces sp. NRRL 12068, or an A-33853-producing mutant or variant thereof, under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions.

Antibiotic A-33853 inhibits the growth of certain pathogenic microorganisms, as well as a number of viral organisms. The diacetyl and the triacetyl derivatives of antibiotic A-33853 also inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. The antibiotic A-33853 and its tetraacetyl derivative both show in vitro activity against Trichomonas vaginalis.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The infrared absorption spectra of antibiotic A-33853, the tetraacetyl derivative, a triacetyl derivative, and a diacetyl derivative of A-33853 are presented in the accompanying drawings, as follows:

FIG. 1--A-33853 (in KBr pellet)

FIG. 2--Tetraacetyl derivative of A-33853 (in KBr pellet)

FIG. 3--Triacetyl derivative of A-33853 (in KBr pellet)

FIG. 4--Diacetyl derivative of A-33853 (in KBr pellet)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to acyl derivatives having the following formula ##STR1## and to their preparation.

In the above formula, R, R¹ and R² are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, ##STR2## and the pharmaceutically-acceptable ammonium, alkali metal, and alkaline earth metal salts thereof, with the proviso that only one of R, R¹ and R² can be hydrogen at any one time. When, in the above formula, R═R¹ ═R² ═H, the compound is named, according to Chemical Abstracts nomenclature rules, as 2-[3-hydroxy-2-[[(3-hydroxy-2-pyridinyl)carbonyl]amino]phenyl]-4-benzoxazolecarboxylic acid. For convenience, this antibiotic is designated herein as A-33853.

This A-33853 antibiotic is produced by culturing the previously undescribed microorganism Streptomyces sp. NRRL 12068, or an A-33853-producing mutant or variant thereof, in a culture medium containing assimilable sources of carbon, nitrogen, and inorganic salts, under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions until a substantial amount of antibiotic activity is produced. The fermentation mixture is filtered to remove the biomass, i.e., the mycelia, and the pH of the filtrate adjusted to a pH of about 6 to about 7, preferably about pH 6.5. The antibiotic is then isolated from the filtered fermentation broth preferably by extraction with an organic solvent, such as chloroform, and concentration of the extract. Other solvents suitable for use in this extraction step include ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, n-butanol, and related water-immiscible polar solvents.

Antibiotic A-33853 is a light yellow-green, crystalline compound, having a melting point of about 315° C. (dec.). The antibiotic has a molecular weight of 391, as determined by electron-impact mass spectrometry, and an approximate elemental analyses as follows: 61.21 percent carbon, 3.18 percent hydrogen, 10.64 percent nitrogen, and 24.77 percent oxygen. Based on elemental analysis and molecular weight, an empirical formula of C₂₀ H₁₃ N₃ O₆ is assigned to antibiotic A-33853. Potentiometric titration of the novel antibiotic in 66 percent dimethylformamide in water indicated the presence of three titratable groups with pK_(a) values of about 7.25, 10.0, and 12.21 (initial pH 5.0). The titration results indicate the antibiotic is capable of forming salts, for example with the alkali metals and ammonium.

Antibiotic A-33853 has no specific rotation at [α]_(D) ²⁵° and [α]₃₆₅ ²⁵°.

The infrared absorption spectrum of antibiotic A-33853 in KBr pellet is shown in the accompanying drawings as FIG. 1. The following distinguishable absorption maxima are observed: 3338, 3280, 3080 (very weak), 2990 (very weak), 1760, 1646, 1595 (weak), 1583 (very weak), 1534, 1457, 1449 (shoulder), 1422, 1359, 1312, 1298, 1254 (weak), 1227 (weak), 1186 (weak), 1170 (weak), 1133 (weak), 1120 (weak), 1100 (weak), 1050, 990 (very weak), 961, 912 (weak), 893, 867 (weak), 848 (weak), 819 (shoulder), 801, 789 (weak), 762 (shoulder), 756, 739, 720, 710, 691 (weak), 675 (very weak), 654, 622, 593 (weak), 579 (weak), 531 (very weak), 509 (very weak), 473 (weak), 443 (very weak), and 375 (very weak) cm⁻¹.

The ultraviolet absorption spectra of antibiotic A-33853 in both neutral and acidic dioxane exhibit absorption maxima at 250 nm (shoulder, ε 18,000), 313 nm (ε 28,300) and 322 nm (shoulder, ε 28,000). The ultraviolet spectrum in basic dioxane shows absorption maxima at 254 nm (ε 39,000), 310 nm (ε 17,000), 360 nm (ε 11,000), and 400 nm (ε 10,500).

The ¹³ C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of antibiotic A-33853 in DMSOd₆, using internal TMS as reference, shows certain characteristics. The chemical shifts are expressed in parts per million (PPM), and are recorded in Table 1, which follows.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         .sup.13 CNMR/DMSO, Chemical Shift in PPM                                               No.  PPM                                                               ______________________________________                                                 1    167.5                                                                     2    165.8                                                                     3    162.6                                                                     4    157.2                                                                     5    153.2                                                                     6    150.4                                                                     7    140.3                                                                     8    140.1                                                                     9    131.2                                                                     10   129.3                                                                     11   127.8                                                                     12   126.5                                                                     13   125.9                                                                     14   124.9                                                                     15   123.5                                                                     16   122.9                                                                     17   122.5                                                                     18   120.6                                                                     19   119.7                                                                     20   114.5                                                             ______________________________________                                    

The proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of antibiotic A-33853, determined at 220 MHz (TMS standard), is set forth in Table 2, which follows:

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Chemical Shifts in PPM                                                         Pyridine  J            DMSO    J                                               (ppm)     (Hz)         (ppm)   (Hz)                                            ______________________________________                                         8.32      1.8;4.1      8.32    1.0;4.0                                         8.28      1.2;7.7      7.90    1.0;7.8                                         7.95      1.8;7.5      7.81    1.0;8.8                                         7.70      1.2;8.0      7.71    1.5;7.5                                         7.45      1.8;7.5      7.60    4.5;8.0                                         7.38      8.0;8.0      7.48    8.0;8.0                                         7.35      8.0;8.0      7.46    1.0;8.0                                         7.26      1.5;8.1      7.42    8.0;8.0                                         7.20      4.0;8.1      7.26    1.5;8.0                                         ______________________________________                                    

Pure, crystalline antibiotic A-33853 is soluble in dimethylsulfoxide, pyridine, and 0.1 N sodium hydroxide at 5 mg/ml, but is less soluble in acetone, methanol, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, and water.

Antibiotic A-33853, crystallized from a mixture of chloroform and methanol, has a characteristic X-ray powder diffraction pattern (copper radiation, 1.5418λ, nickel filter, d=interplanar spacing in angstroms) recorded in Table 3, which follows:

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         X-Ray Powder Diffraction Characteristics                                       of Antibiotic A-33853                                                          Spacing     Relative Intensities                                               d(Å)    I/I.sub.1                                                          ______________________________________                                         16.36       .10                                                                12.63       .19                                                                10.65       .14                                                                9.51        .81                                                                8.31        .24                                                                6.61        .05                                                                6.17        .19                                                                5.68        .48                                                                5.32        .62                                                                4.82        .19b*                                                              4.15        .14b                                                               3.79        .57                                                                3.61        1.00                                                               3.48        1.00                                                               3.31        .43                                                                3.18        .52                                                                3.14        .19                                                                3.03        .57                                                                2.88        .10                                                                2.81        .10                                                                2.66        .05                                                                2.62        .10                                                                2.51        .05                                                                2.40        .10                                                                2.33        .05                                                                2.26        .05                                                                2.20        .14                                                                2.07        .10                                                                1.973       .14                                                                ______________________________________                                          *b = broad                                                               

Antibiotic A-33853, on treatment with acetic anhydride in pyridine for about 3 days, forms a compound the structure of which is established to be the following ##STR3## and which is named as: 2-[2-[acetyl[[3-(acetyloxy)-2-pyridinyl]carbonyl]amino]-3-(acetyloxy)phenyl]-4-benzoxazolecarboxylic acid, anhydride with acetic acid. Although it is realized that the carboxyl group of antibiotic A-33853 forms an anhydride with the acetic anhydride reagent, while the other active groups in the molecule form acetyl derivatives, the above compound is hereinafter referred to as the tetraacetyl derivative for convenience in terminology.

Following the same general procedure used in the preparation of the tetraacetyl derivative, other tetraacyl derivatives may be prepared, e.g., the tetraformyl, tetrapropionyl, tetrabutyryl, and tetrapentanoyl.

The tetraacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 is a white, crystalline compound having a melting point of about 184°-189° C. (from chloroform:ethanol), a molecular weight of 559, as determined by electron-impact mass spectrometry, and an approximate elemental analysis as follows: 59.85 percent carbon, 3.51 percent hydrogen, 7.73 percent nitrogen, and 28.50 percent oxygen.

The infrared absorption spectrum of the tetraacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 is shown in the accompanying drawings as FIG. 2. The following distinguishable maxima are observed: 3600-3200 (broad band), 3060 (weak), 2910 (very weak), 1951 (very weak), 1810, 1774, 1728, 1714, 1690, 1601 (weak), 1589 (very weak), 1549, 1471, 1452, 1441 (shoulder), 1418, 1369, 1350 (weak), 1322, 1301 (weak), 1282 (weak), 1271 (shoulder), 1261, 1254, 1215 (shoulder), 1197, 1163 (very weak), 1150, 1128, 1092, 1059, 1003, 981, 955, 916 (weak), 910, 873, 849 (weak), 820 (very weak), 800 (shoulder), 792, 760, 752 (shoulder), 792, 690 (weak), 670 (weak), 655 (very weak), 622, 603 (weak), 580 (weak), 531 (weak), 490 (very weak), 476 (weak), 420 (weak), 403 (very weak), 370 (very weak), 360 (very weak), 330 (very weak), and 310 (weak) cm⁻¹.

The ultraviolet absorption spectra of the tetraacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 in both neutral and acidic dioxane exhibit maxima at 270 nm (shoulder, ε 18,000) and 320 nm (ε 29,000), while the ultraviolet absorption spectrum in basic dioxane shows absorption maxima at 254 nm (ε 40,000), 310 nm (ε 18,000), 365 nm (ε 12,000), and 400 nm (ε 11,000).

The proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the tetraacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853, determined at 220 MHz (TMS standard), is set forth in Table 4, which follows:

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Chemical Shifts in PPM                                                                 CDCl.sub.3                                                                           J                                                                        (ppm) (Hz)                                                             ______________________________________                                                 8.26  1.5;4.4                                                                  8.24  -- --                                                                    8.08  1.0;7.8                                                                  7.86  1.1;8.1                                                                  7.58  7.8;7.8                                                                  7.50  1.3;8.0                                                                  7.50  1.3;8.0                                                                  7.46  8.0;8.0                                                                  7.33  4.5;8.2                                                          ______________________________________                                    

The X-ray powder diffraction characteristics of the tetraacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 (copper radiation, 1.5418λ, nickel filter, d=interplanar spacing in angstroms) are recorded in Table 5, which follows:

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         X-Ray Diffraction Characteristics of the                                       Tetraacetyl Derivative of Antibiotic A-33853                                   Spacing     Relative Intensities                                               d(Å)    I/I.sub.1                                                          ______________________________________                                         8.12        1.00                                                               7.63        .09                                                                7.17        .45                                                                6.44        .18                                                                6.22        .09                                                                5.52        .27                                                                5.14        .18                                                                4.91        .36                                                                4.61        .45                                                                4.32        .27                                                                4.06        .36                                                                3.88        .09                                                                3.67        .55                                                                3.53        .27                                                                3.36        .18                                                                3.14        .18                                                                2.93        .18                                                                ______________________________________                                    

The X-ray crystallographic unit-cell parameters for the tetraacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 are set forth in Table 6, which follows:

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Tetraacetyl A-33853 Crystallographic Parameters                                ______________________________________                                         C.sub.28 H.sub.21 N.sub.3 O.sub.10                                                            M.W. = 559                                                               a = 10.548 ± 0.001 Å                                                    b = 15.303 ± 0.003 Å                                                    c = 16.570 ± 0.003 Å                                                    β = 101.13 ± 0.01 Å                                                ν = 2624.4 ± 0.8 Å                                                   SPACE GROUP: P2.sub.1 /a                                                       Z = 4                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

The tetraacetyl A-33853 has no specific rotation at [α]_(D) ²⁵° and [α]₃₆₅ ²⁵°.

Potentiometric titration of the tetraacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 in 66 percent aqueous dimethylformamide showed no titratable groups present in the molecule.

This tetraacetyl derivative is soluble in pyridine and chloroform at 1 mg/ml, but is insoluble, or only sparingly soluble, in acetone, methanol, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, water, dimethyl sulfoxide, 0.1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide, and 0.1 N aqueous hydrochloric acid.

Antibiotic A-33853 and the tetraacetyl derivative thereof are disclosed and claimed in our co-pending application Ser. No. 253,346, filed Apr. 13, 1981.

Antibiotic A-33853, on treatment with acetic anhydride in pyridine at room temperature for about 5 days, yields a mixture from which a diacetyl derivative and a triacetyl derivative have been separated. The structural formula of the triacetyl derivative has been established by nmr, IR, and mass spectra, together with elemental analysis to be as follows: ##STR4##

Following the same general procedure used in the preparation of the diacetyl and the triacetyl derivatives, other such di- and tri-acyl derivatives may be prepared, e.g., the formyl, propionyl, butyryl, and pentanoyl.

The triacetyl derivative (structure III, above) is a light yellowish, crystalline compound having a melting point of about 175°-178° C. (from ethyl acetate), a molecular weight of 517, as determined by field desorption mass spectrometry, and an approximate elemental analysis as follows: 60.18 percent carbon, 3.80 percent hydrogen, 7.94 percent nitrogen, and 27.74 percent oxygen. Based on elemental analysis and field desorption mass spectrometry, an empirical formula of C₂₆ H₁₉ N₃ O₉ has been assigned to this compound.

The infrared absorption spectrum of this triacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 in KBr pellet is shown in the accompanying drawings as FIG. 3. The following distinguishable maxima are observed: 3700-2800 (very broad, strong), 3440 (weak), 3413 (weak), 3279 (very weak), 3082 (weak), 3024 (very weak), 2992 (very weak), 2935 (very weak), 2854 (very weak), 1776 (very strong), 1740 (strong), 1730 (very strong), 1695 (strong), 1625 (very weak), 1611 (weak), 1590 (very weak), 1553 (medium), 1477 (weak), 1542 (medium), 1431 (medium), 1370 (medium), 1353 (weak), 1322 (medium), 1274 (weak), 1263 (weak), 1237 (medium), 1197 (very strong, broad), 1142 (very weak), 1124 (very weak), 1095 (medium), 1080 (very weak), 1045 (weak), 1014 (medium), 962 (medium weak), 910 (medium weak), 873 (weak), 848 (weak), 800 (weak), 791 (weak), 763 (medium), 742 (weak), 689 (very weak), 669 (very weak), 650 (very weak), and 627 (very weak) cm⁻¹.

The ultraviolet absorption spectra of this triacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 in both neutral and acidic ethanol exhibit absorption maxima at 270 nm (ε 10,000) and 311 nm (ε 16,000), while the ultraviolet absorption spectrum in basic ethanol shows absorption maxima at 245 nm (shoulder, ε˜30,000), 300 nm (ε 25,000), and 340 nm (ε 20,000).

Potentiometric titration of this triacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 in 66 percent dimethylformamide in water indicated the presence of one titratable group with a pK_(a) value of 6.85 (initial pH 4.7).

The mass spectra of this triacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 are: by field desorption, m/z 518, (M+H)⁺ ; by electron impact, m/z 517 (M⁺.), 475, 458, 433, 416, 374, 279, 270, 252, 164, 137, 122 and 95.

The proton magnetic resonance spectrum of the triacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853, Formula III, above, in DMSOd₆, using internal TMS as reference, shows certain characteristics. The chemical shifts are expressed in parts per million (PPM), and are recorded in Table 7, which follows:

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Chemical Shifts in PPM                                                                Triacetyl                                                                             Diacetyl                                                         ______________________________________                                                1.82   --                                                                      2.36   2.12                                                                    2.38   2.23                                                                    7.50   7.53                                                                    7.58   7.57                                                                    7.58   7.57                                                                    7.68   7.80                                                                    7.70   7.80                                                                    7.95   7.92                                                                    8.03   7.95                                                                    8.17   8.11                                                                    8.26   8.73                                                                    --     11.37                                                                   13.09  13.08                                                            ______________________________________                                    

This triacetyl derivative of anitbiotic A-33853, crystallized from ethyl acetate, has a characteristic X-ray diffraction pattern (copper radiation, 1.5418λ, nickel filter, d=interplanar spacing in angstroms) as recorded in Table 8, which follows:

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         X-Ray Powder Diffraction Characteristics                                       of Triacetyl Derivative of Antibiotic A-33853                                  Spacing     Relative Intensities                                               d(Å)    I/I.sub.1                                                          ______________________________________                                         15.45       .10                                                                8.03        1.00                                                               7.42        .67                                                                7.13        .83                                                                6.36        .13                                                                5.98        .03                                                                5.45        .33                                                                5.11        .30                                                                4.82        .23                                                                4.42        .67                                                                4.16        .30                                                                4.00        .37                                                                3.90        .27                                                                3.75        .13                                                                3.59        .50b*                                                              3.44        .30                                                                3.28        .17                                                                3.17        .07                                                                3.02        .17                                                                2.93        .30                                                                2.83        .03                                                                2.72        .03                                                                2.56        .03                                                                2.48        .10                                                                2.27        .03                                                                2.22        .07                                                                2.14        .02                                                                2.06        .03                                                                2.01        .03                                                                 1.960      .07                                                                 1.848      .03                                                                 1.767      .03                                                                ______________________________________                                          *b = broad                                                               

This pure, crystalline triacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 is soluble in alkaline solutions and in most organic solvents. However, it is insoluble in hydrocarbon solvents and in water.

The diacetyl derivative is a green, crystalline compound having a melting point of about 183°-185° C. (from ethyl acetate), a molecular weight of 475, as determined by field desorption mass spectrometry, and an approximate elemental analysis as follows: 60.46 percent carbon, 3.84 hydrogen, 8.42 percent nitrogen, and 27.28 percent oxygen (by difference). Based on elemental analysis and field desorption mass spectrometry, an empirical formula of C₂₄ H₁₇ N₃ O₈ has been assigned to this compound.

The infrared absorption spectrum of this diacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 in KBr pellet is shown in the accompanying drawings as FIG. 4. The following distinguishable maxima are observed: 3700-2800 (broad), 3333 (weak), 3314 (medium), 3077 (weak), 1771 (very strong), 1742 (very strong), 1700 (very strong), 1676 (very weak), 1612 (weak), 1587 (weak), 1540 (medium), 1506 (very strong), 1477 (very weak), 1456 (strong), 1430 (medium), 1390 (medium), 1353 (very weak), 1340 (medium), 1312 (weak), 1297 (weak), 1278 (weak), 1260 (weak), 1231 (weak), 1203 (very strong), 1195 (strong), 1185 (strong), 1096 (medium weak), 1078 (medium weak), 1051 (weak), 1043 (weak), 1015 (medium), 969 (weak), 926 (weak), 918 (weak), 899 (medium), 862 (weak), 828 (weak), 803 (medium weak), 759 (strong), 735 (medium weak), 684 (weak), 667 (weak), 648 (weak), 638 (very weak), 577 (weak), 527 (very weak), and 471 (weak) cm.⁻¹.

The ultraviolet absorption spectra of this diacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 in both neutral and acidic ethanol exhibit an absorption maximum at 311 nm (ε23,400) and end absorption at 220 nm, while the ultraviolet absorption spectrum in basic ethanol shows absorption maxima at 300 nm (ε24,000) and at 340 nm (ε19,000).

Potentiometric titration of this diacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 in 66 percent dimethylformamide in water indicated the presence of one titratable group with a pK_(a) of 6.80 (initial pH 4.92).

The mass spectra of this diacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 are: by field desorption, m/z 476, (M+H)⁺, with small (20%) m/z 518 possibly triacetate impurity, or transacetylation product; and by electron impact, m/z 517, 475 (M⁺.), 458, 433, 416, 374, 279, 270, 252, 224, 164, 122 and 94.

The proton magnetic resonance spectrum of this diacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 in DMSOd₆, using internal TMS as reference, shows certain characteristics. The chemical shifts are expressed in parts per million (PPM), and are recorded in Table 7, above.

This diacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853, crystallized from ethyl acetate, has a characteristic X-ray diffraction pattern (copper radiation, 1.5418λ, nickel filter, d=interplanar spacing in angstroms) as recorded in Table 9, which follows:

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                         X-Ray Powder Diffraction Characteristics                                       of Diacetyl Derivative of Antibiotic A-33853                                   Spacing     Relative Intensities                                               d(Å)    I/I.sub.1                                                          ______________________________________                                         11.65       1.00                                                               8.99        .06                                                                8.20        .16                                                                7.50        .06                                                                6.66        .06                                                                6.03        .06                                                                5.59        .59                                                                5.26        .63                                                                4.72        .25                                                                4.20        .19                                                                4.04        .13                                                                3.89        .13                                                                3.57        .69                                                                3.32        .69                                                                3.07        .06                                                                2.98        .06                                                                2.79        .06                                                                2.66        .03                                                                2.53        .03                                                                2.43        .03                                                                2.36        .06                                                                2.28        .03                                                                2.20        .03                                                                2.14        .03                                                                ______________________________________                                    

This diacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853 is soluble in alkaline solutions and in most organic solvents. However, it is insoluble in hydrocarbon solvents and in water.

The pK_(a) values of these diacetyl and triacetyl derivatives, and the solubility of these derivatives in alkaline solutions indicate that salts can be prepared. Thus, ammonium, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of the diacetyl and the triacetyl derivative are to be considered as included within the scope of this invention.

The Streptomyces sp. culture which is useful for the production of the A-33853 antibiotic, and which was initially isolated from a soil sample from Alaska, has been deposited and made a part of the stock culture collection of the Northern Regional Research Centwr, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Peoria, Ill. 61604, from which it is available to the public under the number NRRL 12068.

As is the case with other organisms, the characteristics of the A-33853-producing culture, Streptomyces sp. NRRL 12068, are subject to variation. For example, natural variants, mutants (spontaneous or induced), transconjugants and recombinants (including recombinant DNA on plasmids) of the NRRL 12068 strain, or derived from this strain, which produce the A-33853 antibiotic may be used in this invention.

A number of different media may be used to produce antibiotic A-33853 with Sytreptomyces sp. NRRL 12068. For economy in production, optimal yield, and ease of product isolation, however, certain culture media are preferred. Thus, for example, preferred carbon sources are glucose, dextrin, tapioca dextrin, corn starch, and glycerol. Optimum levels of carbon sources are from about 4 to about 8% by weight. Preferred nitrogen sources are enzyme-hydrolyzed casein, beef extract, soybean meal, and meat peptone. Cornmeal is useful in the fermentation media, but it is not clear if it serves as a source of carbon, nitrogen, minerals, or undefined growth factors.

Essential trace elements necessary for the growth and development of the organism may occur as impurities in other constituents of the media in amounts sufficient to meet the growth and biosynthetic requirements of the organism. However, it may be beneficial to incorporate in the culture media additional soluble nutrient inorganic salts capable of yielding sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, ammonium, chloride, carbonate, phosphate, sulfate, nitrate and like ions.

For producing substantial quantities of the A-33853 antibiotic, submerged aerobic fermentation in tanks is preferred. However, small quantities of the A-33853 antibiotic may be obtained by shake-flask culture. For tank fermentation, it is preferable to use a vegetative inoculum. The vegetative inoculum is prepared by inoculating a small volume of culture medium with the spore form, mycelial fragments, or a lyophilized pellet of the organism to obtain a fresh, actively growing culture of the organism. The vegetative inoculum is then transferred to a larger tank where, after a suitable incubation time, the A-33853 antibiotic is produced in optimal yield.

The A-33853-producing organism can be grown over a broad temperature range of from about 25° C. to about 43° C. Optimum production of A-33853 antibiotic appears to occur at a temperature of about 30° C.

As is customary in aerobic submerged culture processes, sterile air is dispersed through the culture medium. For efficient growth of the organism, the volume of the air used in tank production is in the range of from about 0.25 to about 10 volumes of air per volume of culture medium per minute (v/v/m), with from about 200 to about 400 RPM agitation. An optimum rate in a 165-liter vessel is about 0.5 v/v/m, with agitation provided by a propeller rotating at about 300 RPM. It may be necessary to add small amounts (i.e., 0.2 ml/L.) of an antifoam agent such as polypropylene glycol to large-scale fermentation media if foaming becomes a problem.

Antibiotic activity is generally present after about 24 hours and remains present for at least 4 days during the fermentation period. Peak antibiotic production occurs at from about 2 to about 4 days fermentation time.

Production of the A-33853 antibiotic can be monitored during the fermentation by either agar diffusion or turbidimetric methods. Test organisms suitable for use include Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Micrococcus luteus. The bioassay is preferably performed employing Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 in a paper disc agar diffusion plate test.

The A-33853 antibiotic can be recovered from the fermentation medium by methods used in the art. The A-33853 antibiotic is generally present in the broth. Maximum recovery of the A-33853 antibiotic is accomplished, therefore, by an initial filtration to remove the mycelial mass. The filtered broth can be purified by a variety of techniques to give the A-33853 antibiotic. A preferred technique involves adjustment of the pH of the filtered broth to a value of from about 5 to about 7, preferably to about pH 6.5, followed by extraction of the broth with a suitable solvent, for example, chloroform. Other solvents suitable for use in this extraction step include ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, n-butanol and related water-immiscible polar solvents. The extract is then concentrated to a small volume, whereupon a solid precipitate forms. The solid material is filtered off to give the antibiotic A-33853.

A first step in the purification of this solid material can be accomplished by dissolving the crude antibiotic A-33853 in a mixture of a water-soluble organic solvent, such as acetonitrile, and dilute aqueous base, e.g., 1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or the like. The solution is then adjusted to about pH 6-7, using aqueous acid, for example, 1 N aqueous hydrochloric acid. The solution is then extracted with a water-immiscible solvent in which the antibiotic A-33853 is soluble, for example, chloroform. The chloroform extract is concentrated in vacuo to a small volume and then added to a large volume of a hydroxylic solvent such as methanol. This solution is then concentrated in vacuo until the antibiotic begins to precipitate. The concentrated solution is then allowed to stand for a few minutes at room temperature and when the precipitation is complete, the antibiotic is recovered by filtration.

The crude antibiotic A-33853 is further purified by crystallization from a suitable solvent or mixture of solvents, such as a mixture of chloroform and methanol, which yields the pure antibiotic A-33853.

Antibiotic A-33853, and the diacetyl and triacetyl derivatives thereof, disclosed hereinabove, inhibit the growth in vitro of certain pathogenic microorganisms, in particular, some within the genera Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Antibiotic A-33853 also inhibits the growth in vitro of a number of viral organisms, including Vaccinia, Polio virus type III, Herpes virus type I, Ann Arbor influenza virus type A, Echo 10, Maryland B influenza virus, and Rhino virus. The tetraacetyl A-33853 is active in vitro against Maryland B influenza virus.

In addition, antibiotic A-33853 is active in vitro against the protozoan organism Eimeria tenella, a major causative organism of coccidiosis.

Furthermore, A-33853 and its tetraacetyl derivative are active in vitro against Trichomonas vaginalis. Using the tube-dilution test, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotic A-33853 against T. vaginalis is less than 0.975 mcg./ml., while the MIC of tetraacetyl A-33853 against T. vaginalis is 125 mcg./ml.

The LD₅₀ of A-33853 in the mouse, IP, is greater than 300 mg./kg.

Antibiotic A-33853 is also active as a mosquito larvicide.

The levels at which antibiotic A-33853 inhibits the growth of organisms were determined using various testing procedures.

Disc-Plate Screening Procedure

Agar plates, inoculated with the test organism, were used; 6 mm. discs (0.02 ml. capacity) were saturated from log 2 dilutions of the antibiotic solution. Disc content was 1/5 or 1/50 of the concentration of the solution used, i.e., disc content of 300 μg. or 30 μg. was obtained from a solution of 1500 μg./ml. concentration. The size of the zone of inhibition produced by antibiotic A-33853 for each disc content is reported in Table 10, which follows:

                  TABLE 10                                                         ______________________________________                                         ACTIVITY OF ANTIBIOTIC A-33853                                                                   Zone Diameter (mm.)                                                            at μg./disc                                               Test Organism       300       30                                               ______________________________________                                         Staphylococcus aureus 3055*                                                                        11        10                                               Staphylococcus aureus 3074**                                                                       11.6      10.4                                             Staphylococcus aureus 3130***                                                                      13.4      13.2                                             Streptococcus pyogenes C203                                                                        8.0       0                                                ______________________________________                                          *benzylpenicillin-susceptible                                                  **benzylpencicillinresistanct                                                  ***benzylpenicillinresistant, methicillinresistant                       

Agar-Dilution Screening Procedure

The agar-dilution procedure described by the International Collaborative Study (ICS) group was used to determine MIC values.

The results obtained from tests of antibiotic A-33853 in the agar-dilution screening procedure are given in Table 11, which follows:

                  TABLE 11                                                         ______________________________________                                         ACTIVITY OF ANTIBIOTIC A-33853                                                                      MIC                                                       Test Organism        (μg./ml.)                                              ______________________________________                                         Staphylococcus aureus 3055*                                                                         2                                                         Staphylococcus aureus 3074**                                                                        2                                                         Salmonella typhosa SA12                                                                             2                                                         ______________________________________                                          *benzylpenicillin-susceptible                                                  **benzylpenicillinresistant                                              

Antibiotic A-33853 was also tested in vitro to determine the MIC in μg./ml. against a number of bacterial organisms pathogenic to animals. The results are recorded in Table 12, which follows.

                  TABLE 12                                                         ______________________________________                                         ACTIVITY OF ANTIBIOTIC A-33853 vs.                                             BACTERIA PATHOGENIC TO ANIMALS                                                                    MIC                                                         Test Organism      (μg./ml.)                                                ______________________________________                                         Staphylococcus sp. 3.12                                                        Streptococcus sp.  6.25                                                        Pasteurella multocida                                                          (bovine)           1.56                                                        (turkey)           6.25                                                        Bordetella bronchiseptica                                                                         >50.0                                                       Escherichia coli   >50.0                                                       Salmonella dublin  >50.0                                                       Pseudomonas (animal)                                                                              >50.0                                                       Mycoplasma gallisepticum                                                                          1.56                                                        Mycoplasma synoviae                                                                               1.56                                                        Mycoplasma hyorhinis                                                                              1.56                                                        Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae                                                                          <0.78                                                       Pseudomonas (fish) 50.0                                                        Aeromonas liquefaciens                                                                            3.12                                                        ______________________________________                                    

The in vitro activity of the triacetyl derivative (structure III), and the diacetyl derivative of antibiotic A-33853, against a number of aerobic bacteria has been determined using a standard agar-dilution assay. The results observed on reading the end point at the end of 24 hours are recorded in Table 13, which follows:

                  TABLE 13                                                         ______________________________________                                         ACTIVITY OF A-33853 DERIVATIVES                                                AGAINST AEROBIC BACTERIA                                                                        MIC (μg./ml.)                                              Test Organism      Diacetyl  Triacetyl                                         ______________________________________                                         Staphylococcus aureus X1.1                                                                        --        --                                                Staphylococcus aureus V41                                                                         16        32                                                Staphylococcus aureus X400                                                                        16        64                                                Staphylococcus aureus S13E                                                                        16        32                                                Staphylococcus epidermidis EPI1                                                                   8         16                                                Staphylococcus epidermidis 222                                                                    4         4                                                 Streptococcus pyogenes C203                                                                       8         8                                                 Streptococcus pneumoniae Park I                                                                   8         32                                                Streptococcus sp. Group D X66                                                                     >128      >128                                              Streptococcus sp. Group D 9960                                                                    >128      >128                                              Haemophilus influenzae C.L.                                                                       4         4                                                 Haemophilus influenzae 76                                                                         64        64                                                ______________________________________                                    

This diacetyl derivative and this triacetyl derivative of the antibiotic A-33853 are useful inter alia for suppressing the growth of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus organisms, and these derivatives and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof could therefore be used in the treatment of acne. These derivatives can be formulated in pharmaceutically-acceptable diluents such as isopropyl alcohol for application to the skin. Such solutions can be made up with antibiotic concentrations of from about 1 to about 15 percent weight per volume. Alternatively, these derivatives can be made up into creams or lotions for application to the skin.

It is also apparent from the antibacterial activity demonstrated by these two derivatives of antibiotic A-33853, as set forth above, that these derivatives can be used as preservatives, disinfectants, and the like, in ways that antibacterial agents have been used in the past. For example, a bacteriostatic amount of the diacetyl or triacetyl derivative, or a suitable salt thereof, can be added to paints and ointments to prevent the growth of microorganisms therein. In addition, the salts of these derivatives can be employed in solution to disinfect glassware, hospital walls, laboratory benches, and similar areas.

In order to illustrate more fully the operation of this invention, the following examples are provided.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of First Stage Inoculum

A medium was prepared for use in the agar slant culture of Streptomyces sp. NRRL 12068:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient        Amount (g./L.)                                               ______________________________________                                         Dextrin           8.0                                                          Enzyme-hydrolyzed casein                                                                         2.0                                                          Beef extract      1.0                                                          Yeast extract     1.0                                                          KCl               0.5                                                          MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O                                                                            0.5                                                          FeSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O                                                                             0.01                                                        Agar              20.0                                                         Deionized H.sub.2 O                                                                              q.s. to 1.0 liter                                            ______________________________________                                    

The pH of the medium was adjusted to 7.0 with 5 N aqueous sodium hydroxide before autoclaving.

Spores of Streptomyces sp. NRRL 12068 were inoculated on a nutrient agar slant made up of the above-identified ingredients, and the thus-inoculated slant was incubated for about 7 days at a temperature of about 34°-37° C. The mature slant culture was then covered with water and scraped with a sterile tool to loosen the spores and mycelium. One milliliter of the resulting spore suspension was used to inoculate 100 ml. of vegetative medium of the following composition.

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient      Amount (g./L.)                                                 ______________________________________                                         Glucose         15.0                                                           Soybean meal    15 0                                                           Corn-steep liquor                                                                              10.0                                                           CaCO.sub.3       2.0                                                           NaCl             5.0                                                           Tap H.sub.2 O   q.s. to 1.0 liter                                              ______________________________________                                          Adjust pH to 6.5 with 5 N aqueous sodium hydroxide.                      

The vegetative inoculum was incubated in a 250 ml. wide-mouth Erlenmeyer flask at about 30° C. for about 48 hours on a shaker rotating through an arc 2 inches in diameter at 250 RPM. This incubated medium is used either to inoculate small fermentors (the inoculum being approximately 1% per volume of medium) or to inoculate a second stage medium for the production of a larger volume of culture.

Fermentation of A-33853

Incubated second-stage medium (800 ml.) thus prepared was used to inoculate 100 liters of sterile production medium having the following composition:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient     Amount (g/L.)                                                   ______________________________________                                         Tapioca dextrin                                                                               70.0                                                            Corn meal      5.0                                                             Meat peptone   10.0                                                            MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O                                                                         4.0                                                             CaCO.sub.3     2.0                                                             Tap H.sub.2 O  q.s. to 100 liters                                              ______________________________________                                    

The inoculated production medium was allowed to ferment in a 165-liter fermentation tank for about 3 to 5 days at a temperature of about 30° C. The fermentation medium was aerated with sterile air at the rate of 0.5 v/v/m and was stirred with conventional agitators at 300 RPM.

EXAMPLE 2 Separation of A-33853 Antibiotic

Whole fermentation broth (188 liters), obtained as described in Example 1, was filtered using 5% filter aid (Hyflo Supercel, a diatomaceous earth, Johns-Manville Products Corporation) in a filter press, to give 150 liters of filtrate. This filtrate was adjusted to pH 6.5 with 5 N aqueous hydrochloric acid. The adjusted broth was extracted with an equal volume of chloroform. This chloroform extract was concentrated to a volume of approximately 500 ml., whereupon a crystalline material separated. The crystals were filtered off, washed with a small volume of cold chloroform, and dried in vacuo to give 9.16 g. of crude antibiotic A-33853.

A sample of this crude A-33853 antibiotic was purified in the following manner.

A 1.0-g. sample of crude A-33853 was dissolved in 15 ml. of a 1:1 mixture of acetonitrile and aqueous 1 N sodium hydroxide. This solution was filtered, and the pH of the filtrate was adjusted to 7.0 with 1 N aqueous hydrochloric acid. This solution was extracted 4 times with equal volumes of chloroform. The chloroform extracts were combined, concentrated to a volume of about 10 ml. and added to approximately 100 ml. of methanol. This solution was concentrated in vacuo until a precipitate separated. The precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with a small volume of cold chloroform, and dried under vacuum to yield 423 mg. of light yellow-green crystals. This preparation appeared as a single spot on silica gel, 60F-254, 20×20 cm thin-layer-chromatography plates (Catalog No. 5765, AM Labs., Inc., Merck-Darmstadt), when developed in acetonitrile:water (9:1) and detected by bioautography using a strain of Staphylococcus aureus.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of Tetraacetyl A-33853

Antibiotic A-33853, 9.1 g., was dissolved in 136 ml. of hot anhydrous pyridine, and 204 ml. of acetic anhydride was added thereto. The resulting clear solution was allowed to stand at room temperature for about 3 days. The crystalline precipitate which formed was collected by filtration. The solid thus obtained was washed with cold acetone and dried in vacuo to give 8.78 g. of product. The filtrate was concentrated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in acetone, and again concentrated to dryness. This operation was repeated 3 times to give an additional 2.21 g. of product to make a total yield of 10.99 g. of crude product. A sample of the crude product was recrystallized from a mixture of chloroform and ethanol to yield a white, crystalline product having a melting point of about 184°-189° C. The product was identified as tetraacetyl A-33853 by use of elemental analysis, potentiometric titration, infrared, ultraviolet, NMR and mass spectra, and X-ray powder diffraction.

    ______________________________________                                         Analysis Calcd. for C.sub.28 H.sub.21 N.sub.3 O.sub.10                                    Calculated                                                                             Found                                                       ______________________________________                                         C            60.11     60.12                                                   H            3.76      3.92                                                    N            7.51      7.73                                                    O            28.62     28.50                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation, Isolation, and Characterization of Diacetyl and Triacetyl Derivatives

A 1.4 g. sample of antibiotic A33853 was dissolved in 20 ml. of pyridine, mixed with 30 ml. of acetic anhydride, and allowed to stand at room temperature for five days. The solution was concentrated to an oily residue, dissolved in acetone and concentrated to give a solid residue. This concentration with acetone was repeated several times until no residual odor of pyridine or acetic acid was noticeable.

The residue was dissolved in tertiary butanol and lyophilized to give 1.420 g. of crude acetylation products. The material was chromatographed on a prepacked 2.5×25 cm. silica gel column (10-20 micron, Quantum Industries; 341 Kaplan Drive, Fairfield, N.J. 07006) in chloroform and methanol (9:1) at 30 psi using a F.M.I. pump (Fluid Metering, Inc., 29 Orchard St., Oyster Day, N.Y. 11771) at a flow rate of 3 ml./minute, collecting 15-ml. fractions. The fractions were analysed using thin-layer-chromatography (precoated 20×20 cm. Silica Gel 60 glass plates from Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) and chloroform:methanol (8:2) or acetonitrile:water (9:1) as solvent systems.

The different components were detected by short-wave ultra-violet light and bioautography, using Staphylococcus aureus 209 P as test organism. Fractions 1-8, inclusive, were discarded. Fractions 9-16, inclusive, were combined, concentrated to an oil, dissolved in chloroform, and rechromatographed on a prepacked 2.5×31 cm. (Size B, 40-63 micron) Merck Silica Gel column (MCB Manufacturing Chemists, Inc., 480 Democrat Rd., Gibbstown, N.J. 08027). The column was developed at 6 ml./minute using a step-wise gradient:chloroform→chloroform+1% methanol→chloroform+2% methanol, until a final concentration of 5% methanol was used. Approximately 200 ml. of each solvent combination was used and 18-ml. fractions were collected. The fractions were analysed using the same silica gel thin-layer-plates and bioautography systems as mentioned above. Fractions 1-27, inclusive, were discarded. Fractions 28-49, inclusive, were combined, concentrated to an oil and dissolved in 6 ml. of ethyl acetate. After 20 hours at room temperature, two types of crystals had formed. Part of the crystals were green, and part were light yellow in color.

The crystals were separated according to their colors, and then further purified by recrystallization.

(a) The light yellowish crystals were recrystallized from ethyl acetate and had melting point of about 175°-178° C., and an empirical formula of C₂₆ H₁₉ N₃ O₉, on the basis of the elemental analysis and field desorption mass spectrometry, and was identified as the triacetyl derivative.

    ______________________________________                                         Analyses for C.sub.26 H.sub.19 N.sub.3 O.sub.9                                              Calcd.                                                                               Found                                                       ______________________________________                                         C              60.35   60.18                                                   H              3.70    3.80                                                    N              8.12    7.94                                                    O              27.83   27.74                                                   ______________________________________                                    

(b) The green crystals were recrystallized from ethyl acetate and had melting point of about 183°-185° C., and an empirical formula of C₂₄ H₁₇ N₃ O₈, on the basis of the elemental analysis and field desorption mass spectrometry, and was identified as a diacetyl derivative.

    ______________________________________                                         Analyses for C.sub.24 H.sub.17 N.sub.3 O.sub.8                                              Calcd.                                                                               Found                                                       ______________________________________                                         C              60.63   60.46                                                   H              3.60    3.84                                                    N              8.84    8.42                                                    O              26.92   --                                                      ______________________________________                                     

We claim:
 1. A compound of the structure ##STR5## wherein R, R¹ and R² are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, ##STR6## or a pharmaceutically-acceptable ammonium, alkali metal, and alkaline earth metal salt thereof, with the proviso that only one of R, R¹ and R² can be hydrogen at any one time.
 2. The compound of claim 1 wherein R, R¹ and R² are ##STR7##
 3. The diacetyl compound of claim 1, which is a green, crystalline solid, having:(a) a melting point of about 183°-185° C.; (b) an approximate elemental analysis of 60.46 percent carbon, 3.84 percent hydrogen, 8.42 percent nitrogen, and by difference, 27.28 percent oxygen; (c) an observed molecular weight of about 475, as determined by field desorption mass spectrometry; (c) an empirical formula of C₂₄ H₁₇ N₃ O₈ as determined by field desorption mass spectrometry; (e) an infrared absorption spectrum having the following distinguishable maxima: 3700-2800 (broad, 3333 (weak), 3314 (medium), 3077 (weak), 1771 (very strong), 1742 (very strong), 1700 (very strong), 1676 (very weak), 1612 (weak), 1587 (weak), 1540 (medium), 1506 (very strong), 1477 (very weak), 1456 (strong), 1430 (medium), 1390 (medium), 1353 (very weak), 1340 (medium), 1312 (weak), 1297 (weak), 1278 (weak), 1260 (weak), 1231 (weak), 1203 (very strong), 1195 (strong), 1185 (strong), 1096 (medium weak), 1078 (medium weak), 1051 (weak), 1043 (weak), 1015 (medium), 969 (weak), 926 (weak), 918 (weak), 899 (medium), 862 (weak), 828 (weak), 803 (medium weak), 759 (strong), 735 (medium weak), 684 (weak), 667 (weak), 648 (weak), 638 (very weak), 577 (weak, 527 (very weak), and 471 (weak) cm.⁻¹ ; (f) ultraviolet absorption spectra with an absorption maximum, in neutral and acidic ethanol, at 311 mm (ε 23,400) and end absorption at 220 nm and, in basic ethanol, absorption maxima at 300 nm (ε 24,000) and at 340 nm (ε 19,000); (g) one titratable group in 66 percent dimethylformamide in water with a pK_(a) value of 6.80; (h) a mass spectrum by field desorption of m/z 476, (M+H)⁺ ; (i) a mass spectra by electron impact of m/z 517, 475 (M⁺.), 458, 433, 416, 374, 279, 270, 252, 224, 164, 122 and 94; (j) a proton magnetic resonance spectrum, using internal TMS as reference, having chemical shifts of 2.12, 2.23, 7.53, 7.57, 7.57, 7.80, 7.80, 7.92, 7.95, 8.11, 8.73, 11.37, and 13.08 PPM; (k) X-ray powder diffraction characteristics:

    ______________________________________                                         Spacing     Relative Intensities                                               d(Å)    I/I.sub.1                                                          ______________________________________                                         11.65       1.00                                                               8.99        .06                                                                8.20        .16                                                                7.50        .06                                                                6.66        .06                                                                6.03        .06                                                                5.59        .59                                                                5.26        .63                                                                4.72        .25                                                                4.20        .19                                                                4.04        .13                                                                3.89        .13                                                                3.57        .69                                                                3.32        .69                                                                3.07        .06                                                                2.98        .06                                                                2.79        .06                                                                2.66        .03                                                                2.53        .03                                                                2.43        .03                                                                2.36        .06                                                                2.28        .03                                                                2.20        .03                                                                2.14        .03                                                                ______________________________________                                    

(l) is soluble in alkaline solutions and nonhydrocarbon organic solvents; or a (m) pharmaceutically-acceptable salt of said diacetyl compound. 